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March 2009 - Vol. 23, No. 3
Kerri Broome, editor
 
 
In This Issue

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 Bringing SNOOPing back!
 next up - House of Blues on 3/28

House of Blues Cleveland Response for the Tyler Village SNOOP! held last month was great! Over 40 CRS members braved the cold on Saturday, February 28 to look around one of the largest downtown redevelopment projects ever in Ohio. SNOOPers had the unique experience of walking into a prototype of the spectacular elevators installed by Tyler in England's Buckingham Palace around the turn of the twentieth century.

Make plans now to attend our next SNOOP! tour at the House of Blues, 308 Euclid Avenue, on Saturday, March 28 at 2:00 pm. Close to Public Square, the building that now is home to House of Blues Cleveland was originally a classic Woolworth's store. As always, the SNOOP! is free, but you must be a current CRS member to attend. Non-members who would like to participate can take advantage of a special $15 introductory event membership rate. Payment in advance is requested. More details will be coming soon.


 


 Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
 for improvements made 1/1/09 - 12/31/10

Blowing in insulation On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the tax credits available to homeowners for energy efficient improvements. Among the changes:
  • The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.
  • The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount have been converted to 30% of the cost.
  • The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500, although improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
For more information consult ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.


 


 Ohio Historic Preservation Office Relocating
 closing for much of March, reopening 4/6

After 13 years at its present location on Hudson Street, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office is returning to the Ohio Historical Center at 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211-2497, effective March 9. Telephone, fax and e-mail addresses remain the same. The Ohio Historical Society, including the Ohio Historic Preservation Office will be closed for the move from March 11 through March 17 and again from March 28 through April 3, during a staff furlough cost-cutting measure.

 


 New Report on Ohio's History
 do people still care about history?

The Ohio Historical Society has issued a report titled Exploring the Public Value of Ohio's History, that tests the hypothesis whether in a twenty-first century of rapid technological change, instant global communications and emphasis on quantitative values do people really care about history. The research was done by the Urban Affairs Center at the University of Toledo. The results unequivocally confirm that Ohioans have a deep appreciation for history and want the state to do more to promote it.

 


 News from Heritage Ohio
 more ways to stay in touch, upcoming deadlines

Heritage Ohio is our statewide, not-for-profit historic preservation organization and is the Statewide Main Street Coordinating Program. Heritage Ohio has just launched a redesign of its web site, started a new blog, started a twitter account, and gotten on Flickr to share photos. Now you have no excuse for not knowing what's going on at Heritage Ohio's office! Two current topics are the call for nominations for distinctly different lists: the 2009 Preservation Awards (due by March 27, 5:00 pm) and the 2009 Top Opportunities list (due by April 4, 5:00 pm). Both the 2009 award winners and the Top Opportunities list will be announced at Heritage Ohio's Annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference in Cleveland May 5-7.

 


 Murrell-Capers Home Landmarked
 in same family since 1933

Murrell-Capers House A home associated with a prominent African-American family has been designated a Cleveland Landmark following nomination by CRS. The Murrell-Capers House at 2380 East 40th Street is the life-long home of Judge Jean Murrell Capers, the first African- American councilwoman in Cleveland, or any large metropolitan city in the United States. Edward Murrell, Judge Capers' father, known for his involvement with local African-American newspapers, was president of the Murrell Printing Company. Jean Murrell Capers successfully ran for Cleveland City Council in 1949 and held the position for ten years. She went on to serve as special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General and then Judge of the Municipal Court until her retirement in 1986. CRS prepared the nomination at the request of Judge Capers. The Murrell-Capers House is now one of 175 individual landmarks under the purview of the Cleveland Landmarks Commission.

 


 New Initiative to Prevent Foreclosures
 pilot project in 6 Cleveland neighborhoods

Neighborhood Progress Inc. is leading a new initiative, Opportunity Homes, aimed at reaching homeowners who might otherwise fall victim to loosing their homes because they are not aware of mortgage modification options available to avoid foreclosure. The program is limited to Cleveland's Buckeye, Detroit-Shoreway, Fairfax, Glenville, Slavic Village and Tremont neighborhoods. Homeowners will be contacted by community development corporations and Empowering & Strengthening Ohio's People, a non-profit foreclosure prevention group. Those interested are cautioned that there are scam artists out there promoting similar "opportunities" and asking for up front money. Be sure you are dealing with a legitimate organization.

 


 Possible Budget Cuts at CSU
 Levin College research threatened

Governor Strickland's proposed two-year state budget, which is currently under review in the state legislature, could result in the loss of $5 million for the Urban University Programs, which includes CSU and other state universities. According to Ned Hill, interim dean of the Levin College of Urban Affairs and CSU's vice president for economic development, the reduction in funding would curtail work on regionalism, the housing foreclosure crisis and other widely used projects that have provided much needed clear and factual analyses. Despite the probable reduction in funds, CSU plans to continue its partnerships with Ohio State, Youngstown State, the University of Akron, University of Toledo, Kent State, Wright State and the University of Cincinnati.

 


 Nominate "Best Place to Buy an Old House"
 deadline is 3/18

Lakewood, Ohio This Old House and PreservationDirectory.com have joined up for a second year to seek out the most affordable and least recognized places in the country to buy older houses. Preservationists, neighborhood boosters and heritage travelers are especially encouraged to send in their nominations which should include: 1) the name of the neighborhood, town or district, 2) a brief history of the area, 3) a brief description of the types of houses available, including architectural styles, the period in which they were built, and their estimated cost, and 4) a short paragraph on why you think the area deserves to be included on the list. Nominations are due no later than March 18 to Keith Pandolfi.

 


 Office Space for Rent
 convenient Midtown area

Sarah Benedict House The Garden level of the historic Sarah Benedict House is available for rental on an annual basis. The 1,700 SF space consists of one large office area that will accommodate four persons, one private office, and a large work area. There is direct access from the street level. Restroom and storage space are located on the same level. Benedict House tenants also enjoy access to spacious first floor meeting rooms, the lovely garden space, and more. Terms are negotiable. Interested parties should contact Felicia Hall.

 


 Calendar of Events
 what to do, where to do it, and when to go

March 4
CES 57th Annual Design & Construction Conference
Bertram Inn, Aurora, $$$
Cleveland Engineering Society


March 5
2009 Annual Meeting of Members
Hanna Theatre, 2067 E. 14th St., 7:30 - 9:30 am
Greater Cleveland Partnership


March 7
Going Green in Historic Houses
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
RSVP to Chrissy Kozey, 330-315-3261, $
Part of the 2009 Historic House Workshop Series
Cleveland Restoration Society
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Progress Through Preservation


March 8
Neighborhood History Gallery Talk: Trolley Cars/InterUrbans
9815 Lorain Ave., 1:00 pm
Cudell Improvement, Inc., 216-228-4383


March 11
Canal Basin District Plan Final Public Meeting
Bridgeview Apartments, 1300 W. 9th St., 4:00 - 8:00 pm
Ohio Canal Corridor


March 12
"The Greenest Building is Already Built: Sustainability and Historic Preservation"
Sara Hobbs, speaker, 7:30 pm
16740 South Park Blvd. Shaker Heights
Call 216-921-1201 to register
Shaker Historical Society


March 21
The American Home Interior: Treatment and Transformation
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
RSVP to Chrissy Kozey, 330-315-3261, $
Part of the 2009 Historic House Workshop Series
Cleveland Restoration Society
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Progress Through Preservation


March 28
SNOOP! @ House of Blues
308 Euclid Ave., 2:00 pm
Cleveland Restoration Society, 214-426-3103


March 30 - 31
Green$ense 2009 Conference
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh
Early registration ends 3/10, $$$
Green Building Alliance


April 4
Interior Painting
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
RSVP to Chrissy Kozey, 330-315-3261, $
Part of the 2009 Historic House Workshop Series
Cleveland Restoration Society
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Progress Through Preservation


 


 Save the Date!
 

April 16 - 17
Financing the Future
Seattle, registration is open, $$$
National Arts Strategies


April 18
Ask the Contractor: Planning a Rehab
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
RSVP to Chrissy Kozey, 330-315-3261, $
Part of the 2009 Historic House Workshop Series
Cleveland Restoration Society
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Progress Through Preservation


April 19
Neighborhood History Gallery Talk: Historic Homes
9815 Lorain Ave., 1:00 pm
Cudell Improvement, Inc., 216-228-4383


May 5 - 7
Rebirth of the City: Preservation & Revitalization in Action 2009 Preservation and Revitalization Conference
Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade
Heritage Ohio


May 6
Celebration of Preservation Hanna Theatre, Cleveland
Cleveland Restoration Society
AIA Cleveland


June 1 -3
Reclaiming Vacant Properties: Building Leadership to Restore Communities
Louisville, KY, registration is open, $$$
National Vacant Properties Campaign


 


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